Biting back with Arthur Dent
Tightening the purse strings
I
n a previous ‘Biting Back’ column (Scottish Dental June/ July 20ı2), I challenged the Scottish Government (SG) to implement the recommenda-
tions of the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body: ı per cent in 20ıı-ı2 and a further ı.38 per cent in the current year 20ı2-ı3. These fee increases were recommended purely to allow dental practices to try to mitigate the ever-increasing cost of overheads. SG promised a decision by the end
of March, but so far no announce- ment has been made. However, that does not mean SG has been ignoring the topic of dental practice funding – quite the opposite. The Chief Dental Officer (CDO) and her team (on the orders of their political masters) have been busily considering what CUTS can be made to dental prac- tice funding; the resultant changes were implemented on ı December. These cuts are wide-ranging and
few, if any, general dental practi- tioners will remain unaffected by them. Among these are:
• the removal of payment for free replacement of restorations. Dentists will still have to provide a ı2-month guarantee on restorations but will have to do this unpaid by PSD • the removal of fees for repairs to orthodontic appliances, these will now have to be done without payment • the abolition of the VT Recruit- ment Allowance (Golden Hello) • significant changes to the VT Practice Improvement Grant (Determination X). An initial grant of up to £ı0k only for practices new to VT; existing VT practices may access up to £6k after five financial years and any grant funding must be used solely for the designated VT surgery • rent reimbursement will be abated by the percentage of NHS fees to total fee earn- ings and EVERY practice will have to submit an annual declaration of this percentage signed by their accountant.
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The GDPA was under serious risk of severe reduction but the SDPC resisted vehemently
When these cuts were in the
planning stage, the CDO was in discussion with the Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC) of the BDA. SDPC has made clear that it was opposed to ANY cuts in funding, and it did endeavour to minimise the impact of any SG cuts on dentists and patients. I have heard that the General
Dental Practice Allowance (GDPA) was under serious risk of severe reduction but that SDPC resisted this most vehemently. The GDPA is a financial lifeline to all hard-pressed dental practices and without it many would face bankruptcy. It is vital that GDPA remains intact and it must be free from any SG meddling! As I understand, these cuts
are merely the first round and that SG will seek further savings in the next financial
year. I can almost hear the sharp intake of breath as you read... So, it’s a happy New Year to
Scottish dentists, staff and patients from the Scottish Government!
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